Our Favorite Bob Marley Covers

February 2, 2017admin

It’s hard to even come close to his magnetic energy, but Bob Marley has received a huge influx of tributes by artists all around the world. Just like his music, these covers have touched souls across the planet, belted by both stars and local artists alike. Getting ready for the Locos Por Marley homage to the legend next Saturday, February 11th, here’s our list of favorite covers and renditions:

Corinne Bailey Rae – “Is This Love”

Gentle and soulful, two of our favorite traits that the British singer has in spades. This cover makes us melt with the kind of emotion and yearning the original deserves.

Eric Clapton – “I Shot The Sheriff”

The legend gets a little funky on this cover, bringing in a bigger musical arrangement than the original, but we’re not complaining.

Fugees – “No Woman, No Cry”

It may be a cover, but it’s a classic for anyone growing up in the 90s and early 00s. Oozing with the same amount of cool as the original, yet still totally Fugee style.

Annie Lennox – “Waiting in Vain”

Few female vocalists have as round a sound as Queen Annie, and this cover transforms into something entirely her own. It’s gorgeous from start to finish.

Bilal – “Is This Love”

A powerful voice in the underground soul and funk movement, Bilal takes a progressive approach to one of Bob Marley’s most frequently covered tracks.

Matisyahu – “Running Away”

Speaking of tangible energy, you can’t have this list and not include the musical spirit that is Matisyahu who translates his own feelings into a lesser known original.

Grateful Dead / Jerry Garcia Band – “Stir it Up”

Very few artists can get more joyful than the Grateful Dead. Spreading a light-hearted understanding of music, art, and even life, this cover just makes sense for the legendary band.

Rebelution – “Natural Mystic”

The California outfit brings a bit of badass and a whole lot of bite to the more loving sound we’ve come to define reggae with and this cover is no exception.

Allen Stone – “Is This Love”

If Bob Marley taught us anything, it’s that a powerful voice can move mountains and Allen Stone’s is a testament to that. Stripped down and accompanied by only a guitar, its beauty will sting.

Local Shout out:

Alejandro Elizondo – “Is This Love”

We couldn’t have this list without some local covers we hold dear. Soulful, funky, and exploratory, this cover by Alejandro Elizondo is up there with the aforementioned artists.

Ella Herrera – “Three Little Birds”

Back to that vocal thing. All alone, just her guitar and voice, local folk starlet Ella Herrera turns a Bob Marley classic into something The Mamas & The Papas could’ve recorded.

Make sure to come pay tribute to the legend himself with the special performance by Locos Por Juana next weekend. Snag your tickets here.